Creative Actors Lab

Send us Fan MailMax discusses how he enjoys poems, a chapter from the book 500 Greatest Poems, and some poems don't have the names of the poets or the year they were written, and some go back to the year 1250 and earlier. Edward, Edward is one from the 1600s about a man going to sea, and what he'll leave for his family and his beloved mother. The Three Ravens is about birds set in a tree, and they think about a meal while they look at a knight. The Cherry Tree Carol is about an old man named Joseph and Mary, who is a biblical reference, and Mary is with child and asks for cherries and how her son will predict how humanity will behave. The Unquiet Grave, which is about a young man's true love. Max has his own poetry, from 15 years ago, that he's just discovered which he's getting ready to edit and put together. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax talks about The Gutenberg Project and Robert Lewis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses, and the night that the lights went out in his neighborhood, and being tucked into bed with a white candle.  It includes the poems:Summer in BedAt the SeasideYoung Night ThoughtRainPirate StoryForeign LandsWindy NightsThis is a great episode to share with a little one. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max reads The Ballad of Reading Gaol, which Oscar Wilde wrote while he was in jail for two years for the crime of homosexuality, and it was inspired by Charles Thomas Wooldridge, a trooper in the Royal Horse Guards, who was imprisoned and executed for murdering his wife. The poem highlights the brutality of the penal system, the mental suffering of inmates, and the hypocrisy of morality, featuring the famous line, "Yet each man kills the thing he loves".  Reading Gaol was a place of extreme emotional and physical suffering for Wilde, leading him to campaign for prison reform after his release. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax discusses a poem he read many years ago, called the Saga of Li-Peng and Xua-Xua, which tells the story of the discovery of acting and theater. Li-Peng and Xua-Xua wait for a child without understanding the changes to her body and how it created distance. The child's name was Ling Ling-Lee, and the trio learns how to manage their humanity and the art of becoming human.For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax talks about his first blush with a voice class and how liberating it was.  He also talks about his love of Shakespeare and the old radio announcer exercise. He suggests learning some Shakespearean sonnets because they're short and easier to recite, and doing them with the pencil across your mouth, and then taking the pencil out and redoing the sonnet, and it's so much easier to do, and your diction gets better.  It's like taking weights off your legs when you want to run. He reads Sonnet 18 - Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day? with a pencil in his mouth, along with Sonnet 52. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax talks about a friend with mental health issues and depression, who would call and spend over 45 minutes talking about his issues, and then he wanted to tell jokes, which was his way of trying to heal himself. He also had a hard time dealing with his daughter's depression and made a joke about it, which caused a falling out. Max discussed his own depression with his friend and his parody poem. Max reads his poem, I Got Blues, which was inspired by Mississippi Blues and artists like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Max also talks about his trips to Arabia Mountain and how healing nature is, and extolls on how great a chef Marco Pierre White is, how he left professional cooking to cook for the people he loves, a similar voyage that Max took.  Arabia Mountain inspired his poem, The Mountain.For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max explores Mental Health and Emily Dickinson, her gregarious youth, and she went into seminary, which made her reclusive and did not leave her family's property.  Upon her death, she asked her sister to destroy her letters, but her poetry survived.  During her lifetime, only a few of her poems were printed, mostly anonymously, and her writings were published after her death. They have spoken to millions over the decades. Max reads:Because I Could Not Stop for DeathI Heard a Fly Buzz when I DiedA Narrow Fellow in the GrassThere's a Certain Slant of LightA Bird Came Down the WalkThe Soul Selects Her Own SocietyI Like to See it Lap in the Miles My Life Closed Twice Before it's Close Success is Counted, SweetestI Taste a Liquor Never BrewedAfter Great Pain, the Former Feeling ComesI Felt a Funeral in My BrainI Never Saw a MooreMuch Madness is Diviness SenseFor more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max researches NeuroticPoets.com , and Lord Byron shows right up and talks about his own mental health struggles and how poetry has helped him cope.  Apparently, Lord Byron was born with a club foot, and a girl that he was interested in called him, "That lame boy," which was very hurtful. His poetry lays his soul bare. His life was layered and brief - he died at 36 years old but left behind a treasure trove of poetry. Max reads:She Walks in Beauty,So We'll Go No More a RovingWhen We Two PartedThere was a Sound of Rivelry by NightThese are reflective, powerful poems, so let us know what you think.  Thanks for listening. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max as he looks at the magical imagination of his daughter, Amber Grimm, and her stories, The Moon Follows Boo, in which a little cat named Boo loses his way at night but gets help from the Moon, who guides Boo back home, and we find out that the moon sometimes feels lonely, lighting the night for the world to see. The next story is about Polly the Polite Possum and how she tries to have a nice tea party for her friends in the forest. But it's interrupted by a couple of raccoons named Bandit and Gem who need a good lesson on etiquette.Ellie in the Closet is about a rainbow lizard who feels ugly because she's different and hides in the closet. But a friend named Storm gives her the confidence to come out of the closet. She is finally able to leave her isolation and show the world her true colors. Rapunzel Pup is about a disabled puppy with a prosthetic leg who has an overprotective mother who won't let her go outside.  She finds friends who help her navigate her new surroundings and take a cat to task for making fun of Rapunzel. It's a sweet episode that's great for the entire family. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max discusses his blog, also titled A River Between Zen and Chaos, and shares his perspective on poetry.  He talks about his British grandfather, Sidney (Sid) Robinson, who was also a writer. Max reads The Passionate Man's Pilgrimage by Sir Walter Raleigh, which seems like a poem his grandfather would have liked. His grandfather, who never had a formal education, also loved the poetry of William Wordsworth. Max tells about learning about his grandfather's passion for writing at his memorial service and their last moments together. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max explores how growing up with a stutter until he was 15 years old.  He got speech therapy and how working in theater helped him develop his voice, especially doing Shakespeare especially Richard III and Hamlet.  For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax discusses a past job with the printing company and an incident that led to him writing the poem Dear Legal Department after a co-worker has a head injury at work and is told to call management instead of 911.  Let us know if you have ever experienced corporate insanity where procedure takes precedence over safety and common sense. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax talks about growing up and life in Miami before he moved to Atlanta. At a young age, Harry Cruz's Southern Gothic style influenced Max's early writing. He talks about going to a convenience store and talking to a young man, whom he found out later committed murder. He also talks about working for a man who had stockpiled guns with supplies for when the "state of anarchy" breaks out, he'll be ready. He left the job after about six weeks.  The poem All I'm Saying was written a few years after leaving the craziness of Miami and looks at the mindset of the men he met. Another poem inspired by the upside-down world of cocaine filled Miami in the 1970s and 80s, a strange dream with devilish women, rats, and the 23rd Psalm. The poem Rats in the Wall, talks about ending a relationship with the potent white powder. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax talks about his first crush, Kaddy, in junior high, and his connection to Edgar Allen Poe, as well as how Poe's work comforted him through some tough times in his youth, including the loss of his grandmother. He explores Poe's lesser-known works including:DreamsSpirits of the DeadA DreamA Sonnet To Science(Alone)The BellsHe thanks Mrs. Davis from John F. Kennedy Junior High for introducing him to the works of one of the greatest poets in American history, which developed his passion for reading and writing poetry. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max talks about his first play in college, Private Wars by James McClure and watching an episode of Stephen Colbert with Anthony Hopkins and they were reading portions of the touching poem by T.S. Eliot entitled The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock which he wrote in 1915 when Eliot was 22 years old. He reads the entire poem in this episode. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max examines The Proust Questionnaire, a list of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust, which is often used by modern interviewers. Max mentions that he and Kelley used this with actors as part of the actors' training to put together a strong intentional character. It relates to the game called Hot Seat, in which an actor gets on stage and must answer questions in character.  Max takes the questionnaire and has some surprising answers. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin us as we look at three very different holiday tales, including the editorial. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, the O. Henry short story, The Gift of the Magi, and the Christmas poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas. Kelley discusses the importance of each of these works and how the rendition of Twas the Night Before Christmas was recorded in 2000 as part of a pre-school project that her daughter was asked to do with family members. It's also the night before Kelley and Max's daughter Danielle was born, and highlights the importance of getting those holiday stories from family so that they can be passed down for generations to come.  Our voice talent includes: For Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus: Carlos Tovar as Narrator 1 Blerta Xhelili as Narrator 2Estella Love Rice as Narrator 3Kelley Cody-Grimm as VirginiaFor The Gift of the Magi, your narrator was Max Grimm. For Twas the Night Before Christmas and Other Holiday MemoriesJayne CodyFrank CodyMax GrimmKelley Cody-GrimmLittle Amber GrimmFor more on the Spectral Summit and Literary Summit - go to our website: www.spectral-summit.com. Have a wonderful holiday season!For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin us as ghosthunter Jack Bronson gets some divine intervention on Christmas Eve from Em, an angel who needs to help Jack so she can get back into the good graces of her "boss" with the help of Keith, the ghost. We have a wonderful cast of voice actors, including: Mezi Mulugeta as Em Dean Atkinson as Jack BronsonBrandon Winget as Keith the Ghost Shiyla Gantt as Jack's Mom, AngelaJustin Deen as Jack's Father, Ted BronsonChiron Broderick as DaveLiz Ireland as Jack's Grandmother, NanaTammi Latela as Mrs. AlburyJaylee Thomas as Frank JenkinsCarlos Tovar as Chris, the Bartender, and Larry DaneAmber Grimm as Bruce DaneDanielle Grimm as Teen JackMax Grimm as the Demon and ManKelley Cody-Grimm, as the Nurse and HostessIt's a heartwarming episode with some spicy language, so it's PG-13. Written by Kelley Cody-Grimm, Directed by Max Grimm. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max as he discusses his poetry, heart spillings, and mind lightning. He explores two of his poems, A Passing of Vision and The Snake. He also looks at The Desiderata, which is an inspirational poem. Max will explore different poets each week, give his commentary, and open it to other poets who would like their poems read on the podcast. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max as he reads Ellie in the Closet, which is the heartwarming story of Ellie, a shy rainbow lizard who longs to be accepted just like any other kid. When her bright scales make her a target for teasing, Ellie hides away in her closet, believing no one could ever see her as beautiful. But everything changes when a kind new friend named Storm offers her comfort, sandwiches, and the courage to step into the light. A gentle tale about friendship, self-acceptance, and the bravery it takes to be yourself. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max, Kelley and their daughter Danielle as they discuss the production of Max's one man spoken word album, Shapeshifter. It was a labor of love that almost didn't happen when Max got sick in February, and it was due at the end of March. Luckily, Danielle help guide the project and found a recording studio at the local library and sound edited the entire piece. Kelley also got to play an ex-girlfriend with a strange way of showing affection. To listen to the album, go to Atlanta Fringe Audio. Here's the link. There are also many other artists there that you can listen to free here. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMedium Sophia Gardeen must examine her life choices with the help of Charles Dickens, Bob the Atheist ghost, and the spirits of two hip grandmothers on an especially haunted Christmas Eve. Includes the voice talents of:Kelley Cody-Grimm as Sophia Gardeen and Little SophiaBenja Petty at Bob the Atheist GhostMax Grimm as Charlies Dickens, Cal Gardeen and a DemonKim Hart as Laura Gardeen, Nana and Nicki's MotherDamita Parks as Etta and Announcer Eion McCrary as Jess Irene Naranjo as MeMa and PatriciaDanielle Grimm as the DemonWritten, Directed, and Sound Edited by Kelley Cody-GrimmFor more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin us as ghosthunter Jack Bronson gets some divine intervention on Christmas Eve from Em, an angel who needs to help Jack so she can get back into the good graces of her "boss" with the help of Keith, the ghost. We have a wonderful cast of voice actors, including: Mezi Mulugeta as Em Dean Atkinson as Jack BronsonBrandon Winget as Keith the Ghost Shiyla Gantt as Jack's Mom, AngelaJustin Deen as Jack's Father, Ted BronsonChiron Broderick as DaveLiz Ireland as Jack's Grandmother, NanaTammi Latela as Mrs. AlburyJaylee Thomas as Frank JenkinsCarlos Tovar as Chris, the Bartender, and Larry DaneAmber Grimm as Bruce DaneDanielle Grimm as Teen JackMax Grimm as the Demon and ManKelley Cody-Grimm, as the Nurse and HostessIt's a heartwarming episode with some spicy language, so it's PG-13. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailA special rendition of the classic holiday story and editorial written by New York Sun's Francis P. Church for an editorial on September 21, 1897.  The voice talent includes Carlos Tovar, Blerta Xhelili, Estella Love-Rice, and Kelley Cody-Grimm. This is a collaboration between OTC Productions and Creative Actors Lab.For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailNero and Malaria hatch a plan to deal with Larry Linberg and his photo development store after a shocking discovery. Manson and Esther befriend Saffronia and her brother Nelson after the Mayor's son and daughter bully them.  The Demonis also face heightened scrutiny from their nosey neighbor. Warning: Adult Themes and ContentDirected, Written, and Edited by Danielle GrimmProduced by Danielle Grimm and Kelley Cody-GrimmWith the voice talents of:Darrell Snedeger as Nero DemoniKatelin Chesna as Malaria DemoniJade Crosby as Esther DemoniBenja Petty as Manson DemoniCarlos Tovar as Diablo and Sheriff BuckleyBilly Barefoot as Larry Linberg and Wilmer PendergassDanielle Gross as Susanne LinbergElizabeth Ireland as Wilma PendergassKenya Stewart as Saffronia WilliamsChiron Brodrick as Nelson WilliamsMax Grimm as Mr. Everett, the Demon, Mayor Johnson, and Deputy StewartKelley Cody-Grimm as Beverley Johnson and KimmyDanielle Grimm as Local Boy, Vidalia and FalconAmber Grimm as ChandlerRecorded at Atlanta Radio Theatre CompanyFor more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailAfter going on the run after a botched murder, the Demoni family settles into the simple small town of Simpleton, a perfect vision of 1960s suburban utopia–or so it seems! As they learn more about the unsavory characters in town, they know that they have their work cut out for them, which includes cutting down those who exploit the innocent.  Warning: Adult Themes and ContentDirected, Written, and Edited by Danielle GrimmProduced by Danielle Grimm and Kelley Cody-GrimmWith the voice talents of:Darrell Snedeger as Nero DemoniKatelin Chesna as Malaria DemoniJade Crosby as Esther DemoniBenja Petty as Manson DemoniCarlos Tovar as Diablo and Sheriff BuckleyBilly Barefoot as Larry Linberg and Wilmer PendergassDanielle Gross as Susanne LinbergElizabeth Ireland as Wilma PendergassMax Grimm as Mr. Everett, the Demon, Mayor Johnson, and Deputy StewartKelley Cody-Grimm as Beverley Johnson and KimmyDanielle Grimm as Local Boy, Vidalia and FalconAmber Grimm as ChandlerKenya Stewart as Saffronia WilliamsChiron Brodrick as Nelson WilliamsRecorded at Atlanta Radio Theatre CompanyFor more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Kelley discusses what you need to do in a slate and do it correctly for an audition. A slate is a basic introduction before you submit your sides or monologue to a casting director or agent. It helps them see who you are before you delve into your character. Mostly, they want to see that you are easy to work with.  Here is some of the essential information you need to include, but check with the specifications in the email or casting instructions to make sure you're including the correct information, such as:NameLocationAge - but only if they ask for it - otherwise, omit. If you are under 18, you have to slate your age. HeightIf you have representation, include the name of your agent or agency.Union Affiliation - if you have one or if you are SAG-AFTRA eligible.  Say what the part you're auditioning forThank them for the opportunityInclude a full-body shot. Regular slates with a full-body shoot should be about 10 to 15 seconds. The audition notice will state if they want you to include more and how to label the files before you upload them. To view the Mr. Show video with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross with the audition sketch - click here. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Kelley discusses the fine art of pitch decks for authors, screenwriters, and filmmakers. She looks at the basic structure of about 12 to 15 slides that can be in Google Slides or PowerPoint which includes:Cover ArtLoglineComps - other works that you can compare it to. Character Descriptions - only for your to 6 to 7 charactersSynopsis of the plot - one page or slide.The inspiration for the projectThe Tone - what visuals to use. The marketing potential - Who is your audience? About the author/screenwriter/or production crew (director or writer)Contact informationHere's a link to the Christmas Carol Pitch Deck in Google Slides if you want to examine its structure and learn how to create one for yourself. Maybe as a creative prompt, create a pitch deck for a classic book or play. Thanks, and remember, when the going gets tough, the tough get creative!For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max talks about how he left art school to pursue acting and how much he learned in the process. At one point, he was in the best and worst productions he'd ever been in.  He's looking back at his history to plan for the future which is a great exercise for anyone, no matter your age.  For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Kelley talks about using AI to help you cut down on your writing time, whether it's helping you write a synopsis based on your Save the Cat Beat sheet, crafting a logline, or doing research for your pitch deck. What AI doesn't do well is writing comedy, and we discuss that, too. Here are some of the AI resources that Kelley talks about:Claude AI is good for doing literary research and asking about characters or authors or creating loglines, but not comedy.ChatGPT is good for creating Save the Cat Beat sheets, cover letters, and research. Bing AI Chat is Microsoft's version of AI. It can generate images but doesn't write comedy well. Some of the resources that we talked about in the last podcast include: The Script Lab - You can register on their website with your email, but you won't get spammed and will have access to thousands of movie and TV scripts. Studio Binder - This site helps you find resources for creating your film, templates for pitch decks, call sheets, and tons of other helpful advice. For Save the Cat - You can get free Save the Cat Sheets from Jessica Brody's website.  You can contact us at [email protected] if you want to have us send you the sheet directly. Thanks, and when the going gets tough, the tough get creative!For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Max and Kelley talk about their creative journey through writing, with Max's being mostly in poetry and writing a blog for a year and Kelley's journey with writing scripts, short stories, and novels.  Max also talks about a time in the early 90s when a short film that he wrote and produced called The Red and the Black was banned in New Zealand.  Kelley talks about learning from Table Reads for her work and those of others like Brandon Winget. She also talks about how reading pilot scripts and first drafts of movies can help you realize that your first draft is a good beginning but that you'll often have to make changes before you get a final product. She also suggested finding a good critique group that can read your writing and offer suggestions, and you get to review other writer's work and offer suggestions as well. Some of the resources that they recommended included:The Script Lab - you can register on their website with your email but you won't get spammed and access to thousands of movie and TV scripts. Studio Binder - This site helps you find resources for creating your film, templates for pitch decks, call sheets, and tons of other helpful advice. For Save the Cat - You can get free Save the Cat Sheets from Jessica Brody's website.  You can contact us at [email protected] if you want to have us send you the sheet directly. Thanks, and when the going gets tough, the tough get creative! For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Kelley and Max discuss the documentary series Quiet on the Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV  from the perspective of acting coaches and people who have also faced sexual assault. They discuss how important it is to listen to your gut instinct and how their experiences have helped them help others.  Please note that this episode discusses sexual assault.  It's not an easy topic, but it needs to be discussed because toxic and manipulative people exist beyond TV and movie sets. Max and Kelley talk about how they identify if a person is trying to insert themselves into the lives of people they're trying to control. The #MeToo movement was a tipping point for adults, especially women; perhaps Quiet on the Set can do that for kids in the entertainment business.They also talk about a nonprofit in Atlanta called  Revved Up Kids, which teaches children and teens how to defend themselves against predators and trains their parents to discover the signs. Here's a link to their website. All five episodes of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV are streaming on Max.If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax and Kelley discuss the importance of creativity and how it affects your brain when you do or try something new. They also discuss some of the scientific findings and a podcast by Dr. David Eagleman called The Inner Cosmos.  Max also talks about different problem-solving approaches, such as the SWOT analysis, Business War Games, and Brain Storming and Brain Writing. We also discuss how important it is to seek out new adventures and skills and how your brain lights up like fireworks on the Fourth of July when it is challenged by something new. If you want to do a deeper dive, you can look at Rick Ruben's book The Creative Act, which is more than just a book about creativity; it's a manifesto for embracing the boundless potential within ourselves. Here's a link to the book on Amazon, if you're interested in learning more. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max and Kelley as they discuss why someone like Max might need to step away from acting for a few decades. In the interim, he found a new love of writing poetry, cooking as a chef, and expanding his painting ability.  Kelley talks about leaving an improv company after some bad experiences and finding the love of her life (spoiler alert - it's Max). Thanks and have a great week. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Kelley and Max explore how to act like a private detective when you're creating or playing a character. They explore the process of researching a character's motivation by pretending that you were hired to follow the character around. They delve into various aspects, such as how the character would cross the street, how they would perform household chores, or how they would get ready for work.Kelley and Max also discuss a play they did for Florida International University (FIU) called Mad Forest by Caryl Churchill. The play revolves around two families thrust into political and social turmoil before, during, and after the Romanian Revolution of 1989.Kelley also discusses a character sheet that includes ways to flesh out a character, including:1.    If your character has a job, is they good at it? Do they like it?2.    What are your character's bad habits?3. What would your character tell you if you asked about their greatest dream?4.    What's a secret dream he or she wouldn't tell you about?5.    What kind of person does your character wish they could be? What is stopping them?6.    What is your character afraid of? What keeps them up at night?7.    What does your character think is their worst quality?8.    What do other people think your character's worst quality is?9.    What talent does your character think he or she has but is very wrong about?10. What did their childhood home look like?11. Who was their first love?12. What's the most terrible thing that ever happened to them?13. What was their dream growing up? Did they achieve this dream? If so, in what ways was it not what the character expected? If your character never achieved the dream, why not?14. In what situation would your character become violent?15. In what situation would your character act heroic? Thanks, and stay creative!For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Max and Kelley discuss the importance of meditating and reflecting on your art and what creativity you can accomplish. We discuss different meditation techniques, including Yoga Nidra it is considered sleep yoga, non-sleep deep rest,, and it's meant to reset your nervous system. If you want to check out some of the practitioners, here are a few that Max suggests:Ayla Nova - Yoga Nidra - here is a link to a YouTube intro video.Ally Boothroyd - here is a link to a 10-minute YouTube video.Ram Dass - here is a link to a YouTube video.We can all practice a sense of well being whether you meditate for 1 minute, 10 minutes or more. It's good for your mental health and can increase your creativity. If you find yourself distracted at first, that's normal; keep working at it. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Kelley and Max look at the person who has influenced Kelley's acting journey the most: Viola Spolin.  Viola Spolin was an actress, educator, director, author, and the creator of theater games, a system of actor training that uses games she devised to teach the formal rules of the Theater organically. Her groundbreaking book Improvisation for the Theater transformed American theater and revolutionized how acting is taught. Here is a link to the website. Her son, Paul Sills, founded the legendary Second City improv group. Kelley uses many of her methods in her teaching, including A & B mirror exercises, The Library, and movement exercises.  Her creative and life journey is truly inspiring.  If you want to learn more or order her book Improvisation for the Theater, which was first printed in 1963, you can order it on her website or Amazon.    Click here to look at a complete list of her books at the Northwestern University Press. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max and Kelley as we look at iconic character descriptions in screenplays from Rick Blaine in Casablanca to Annie Wilkes in Misery to Apollo Creed in Rocky and Rose Maxson in Fences, and many other characters in between. We discuss the impact these characters had in their films and why writing good descriptions is vital for both the actor and the writer.  You get to hear the actual description as it was in the script and how an actor would interpret that character. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax and Kelley discuss the importance of Set Etiquette whether you're on stage or on a TV or Movie set. They use personal examples of the do's and dont's such as:Do be kind and show good manners. Don't ask for a selfie with a lead. Do be on time. Don't try to manifest by telling a lead you will be their co-star one day. (Yes, we saw that happen)We also talk about how being professional and nice to the Assistant Directors and Production Assistants might land you in a scene with the leads. It's good practical advice so that if you're on set, you know what to do.  We use examples from The Resident, Will Trent and some small independent films and theater experiences.  Enjoy!For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Max and Kelley interview fellow podcaster and the person who gave us great advice on starting our own show, Hersh from HERshyt Show. She's a retired combat veteran and also a FEMA hero who helps people and families get the help they need during a disaster.  One huge suggestion, keep an inventory of what you have in your home and put special documents in safe place, either a fire proof box or safe deposit box or have big receipts scanned and kept in the cloud. She gives great advice on handling those tough times, her creative process, and some information on Season 4 of HERshyt Show.  It's a wonderful and lively interview.  Some of the resources she suggested were:www.Fema.govwww.usda.govFor more on Hersh and HERshyt Show - check out these links:Buzzsprout: https://thehershytshow.buzzsprout.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehershytshowFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehershytshow ​​​​Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thehershytshowemail: [email protected] SUBSCRIBE on to HERShyt Show on Youtube at: http://bit.ly/HERshytFor more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax is flying solo in this episode as he talks about doing something he's always wanted to do - voice-over work.  He'll take you through his journey and even cold read a few scripts from Edge Studio, which specializes in voice-overs and has a library of over 6,500 free voice-over commercial scripts, narration, and animation. It's a great place to practice your voice-over skills.  Here's the link to the Edge Studio script library so you can try it out for yourself. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week, Kelley and Max interview their student, Brandon Winget and talk about the acting and writing process. Brandon recently played Keith the Ghost on When a Bell Rings as well as also doing work with Brett Newton of LA Reels for a short film as well. We also put Brandon in the Hot seat and ask him probing question like his favorite sandwich, favorite action movie and we learn more about the love of his life, his wife, Jessie who he met in high school. Join us as we learn more about Brandon and how rewarding being a creative coach can be. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailKelley is flying solo this week and talks about how to make a resolution to allow yourself to be more creative and not block ideas that might some when you're working on another project. It's those creative detours that can often produce amazing results because you didn't plan them.  We're also looking at having guests on to discuss their creative process and how they get to where they're going. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailA ghost hunter whose life seems to be in decline learns what the world would be like without him with the help of a fallen angel and a ghost on a fateful Christmas Eve.  We have a wonderful cast of voice actors, including: Mezi Mulugeta as Em Dean Atkinson as Jack BronsonBrandon Winget as Keith the Ghost Shiyla Gantt as Jack's Mom, AngelaJustin Deen as Jack's Father, Ted BronsonChiron Broderick as DaveLiz Ireland as Jack's Grandmother, NanaTammi Latela as Mrs. AlburyJaylee Thomas as Frank JenkinsCarlos Tovar as Chris, the Bartender, and Larry DaneAmber Grimm as Bruce DaneDanielle Grimm as Teen JackMax Grimm as the Demon and ManKelley Cody-Grimm, as the Nurse and HostessJoin us as Jack Bronson gets some divine intervention from Em, an angel who needs to help Jack so she can get back into the good graces of her "boss" with the help of Keith, the ghost.  It's a heartwarming episode with some spicy language, so it's PG-13. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailThis week's special guest is Queen Evi who talks about a wide range of subjects from first loves, how to govern, and favorite sandwiches.  She talks about her kingdom and how to teach her daughters how to stand in their power. It's also a good way to explore any characters by asking them questions and then answering as that character. The questions include: Who was your first love?Favorite foods as a child. What do you regret? How would you like to be remembered? It helps you deep dive into your character and having some fun at the same time. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailMax and Kelley discuss a long-lost performance piece Max wrote over twenty-five years ago when we first moved to Atlanta.  The piece examines our inner voice and how important it is to give grace to ourselves even if things are not going as well as we hoped.  He found it recently and wanted to perform it for our podcast audience for the first time. We also talked about our history of doing radio theater, including for a public radio station, WLRN  in Miami, where we performed on the Pandamonium Midnight Uprising in the early 1990s.  Kelley also talks about other podcasts that are outgrowths of radio theater, including Sarah Wayne Callies' production of Aftershock, a fast-paced thriller about a massive earthquake that destroys the West Coast, causing a mysterious island to rise up from the Pacific and how creating it as a traditional show would be expensive. Still, as a podcast, you let the listeners use their imagination. We also talk about our ventures into doing a production of Sophia's Carol as a podcast dramedy holiday production.  For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Max and Kelley discuss the importance of having consent from your acting partner before doing a romantic scene or a fight sequence. Too often actors might feel pushed into doing something that they are not comfortable in doing. If you don't  have the experience to see if something doesn't pass the smell test, it can be daunting and you can be told you're not being a team player or helping the project. Max takes a few examples on his own career as caustionary tells. We discuss the importance of advocating for yourself.  We do discuss how actors can unfortunately get caught up in being coerced into doing pornography when they think they're working on a legitmate project. Max also talks about the nonprofit Fight the New Drug which tries to confront the porn industry and the effect it has on both the people who have left the industry and those who watch the harmful videos. For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max and Kelley as they explore different interpretations of a monologue from the catalog of The Screenwriter's Grimm. Max offers to coach Kelley on different interpretations of Hey There, Neighbor, in which Detective Angela Johnson confronts her neighbor Kurt, who has been abusing his wife and family. She convinces the wife, Gail, to leave with the children to a safe house and is there to tell Kurt that his family has left him and is safe from his violence.  We explore how many interpretations there might be with this piece and what might drive the detective to take this family under her wing. Kelley also shares why she wrote this monologue and her own experience with an abusive boyfriend in college, as well as observing telltale signs of abusive relationships with celebrities and neighbors. We also discuss the show Found on NBC, which has a protagonist who investigates missing people the press doesn't cover and how she was once kidnapped herself. She abducted her kidnapper and now has him chained in her basement and uses him to help her solve cases. Thanks again for listing, and have a  wonderful Thanksgiving!For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max and Kelley as we coach on a Shakespearean Sonnet 116 entitled Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds.  Max is launching a series of The Bard's work on TikTok and would like to work on some sonnets. We look at the poem from different vantage points: as a sermon, a proposal, with different emotions, and from the POV of a wolf. This sonnet was the favorite of acting legend Laurence Olivier.  For an actor, it's essential to understand Shakespeare even if you don't plan to perform it. Breaking down the language and universal truths is vital for an actor.  Here is a link to Brian Cox coaching a toddler on Hamlet's To Be or Not To Be soliloquy. We also discuss Shakespearian comedies and the Public Theater, founded by Broadway legend Joseph Papp, whom Kelley had the honor of reading for when she attended Florida State University and was a visiting artist. She also saw Peter MacNicoll rehearse for Hamlet for the Public Theater.  We also discuss the comedies of Shakespeare and how accessible they are to modern audiences.  Here's a link if you'd like to see a 1978 documentary of The Taming of the Shrew with movie legends Meryl Streep and Raul Julia produced by the Public Theater. If you'd like to download a copy of the Sonnets, here's a link to The Folger Shakespeare Library. You can also download the plays for free as well. Thanks, everyone, and remember, when the going gets tough, the tough get creative For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!

Send us Fan MailJoin Max and Kelley as we discuss more ghost experiences with Paranormal Investigator and fellow actor Dean Atkinson.  They first met Dean while doing coaching for Acting Out Studios (now 541 Productions) and learned about his fascination with ghosts and otherworldly experiences.  Dean talks about how his wife has been so supportive and even purchased some of his paranormal equipment. We also discussed a few of his acting jobs and working with Nightshift Paranormal Events.  We discuss scary ghost experiences, life, death, power outages, and what makes a good sandwich. If you want to learn more about Dean, here is his Instagram handle and Facebook page.  For more on Nightshift Paranormal, this is their Facebook page and Instagram. They hold public events and educational seminars on the paranormal. Thanks, and stay creative!For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel -  @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page.  Thanks so much for listening!